April Jones search: Police arrest 46-year-old man over disappearance

A 46-year-old man from the Machynlleth area has been arrested in connection with the disappearance of April Jones.

Five-year-old April Jones, who has been missing from Machynlleth since Monday night

A 46-year-old man from the Machynlleth area has been arrested in connection with the disappearance of April Jones.

Police said he was being held in custody in Aberystwyth having been arrested on foot. Police said a vehicle had also been recovered.

Detective Superintendent Reg Bevan said: "We are continuing our investigation to find April. However, within the last hour we have arrested a 46-year-old male from the Machynlleth area who has been detained at Aberystwyth Police Station.

"We made the arrest just outside Machynlleth and we are hopeful this individual will assist us in locating April, who is still missing.

"We are still pursuing all lines of enquiries with a view that April is still alive and we will continue to do so until we find her."

Five-year-old April was last seen by another child getting into the driver’s side of a grey van which drove off from the Machynlleth estate where she lived at about 7pm last night.

Det Supt Bevan said it was "information from the public" that directed them to the man they had arrested. He said April's family had been kept informed of developments.

He said: "We are all still going to pursue all other leads. We will not focus all our efforts on this individual. But he is significant, that's why we have arrested him.

"If there's anyone else who can assist I urge them to come forward."

Supt Ian John added: “We are continuing with the searches and can I ask everyone who has already looked in their sheds, outbuildings to do so once more, we still have a missing five year old.

“Searches this afternoon included the use of specialist teams, police dogs and the force helicopter.

"We had tremendous support from North Wales Police, British Transport Police and Mountain Rescue support.

"We have received offers of support from forces throughout the country to assist in the search, for which we are extremely grateful.

"We would also like to take this opportunity to thank the members of the community of Machynlleth and the surrounding area who have joined in the searches.

"We needed to ensure the searches were coordinated and managed so we maximised their effectiveness.”

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